Fast-growing, for-profit Steward intends to use New England Sinai to strengthen its “continuum of care” and lower costs by moving patients to the facility from more expensive hospitals.

“We want to be a long-term acute-care provider not only for the Steward hospitals but for other facilities in the state,” Josh Putter, chief operating officer at Boston-based Steward, told the Globe. “We’re really excited about being able to provide another level of care to our patients.”

Steward, which already owns 10 community hospitals and doctors groups across Eastern Massachusetts, plans to retain all of New England Sinai’s employees.

In addition, the chain is waiting for changes to Rhode Island’s Hospital Conversions Act as well as approval by state regulators of its deal to buy Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket to complete the purchase, which was announced last year.

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